Hand tool for applying and removing fan belts



Dec. 16, 19 2 J. N. HAwKms 2,621,529

HAND TOOL. FOR APPLYING AND REMOVING FAN BELTS Filed May 12, 1950 7 Joe N. Ha wkms INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 16, 1952 OFFICE HANH) TOOL FOR APPLYING AND REMOVING FAN BELTS Joe N. Hawkins, Tyler, Tex.

Application May 12, 1950, Serial No. 161,524

2 Claims.

This invention relates to hand tools which are primarily made for use by automotive mechanics and has particular reference to certain new and useful improvements in a special multipurpose tool which, when used in one manner, serves to mount a belt on a pulley, and, when used in another manner, serves to lift, dislodge and remove a belt from a pulley, for example, a fan belt pulley.

More specifically, the invention has to do with a simple, economical and practical tool which may be said to be about the size of a medium-sized screwdriver and which actually is a screw-driver whose shank portion is especially bent at the forward or working end to provide a peculiarly shaped L-type crook, the two bends or limbs of which may be aptly and skillfully manipulated for putting a V-type belt on or taking an old belt off unhampered and minus the likelihood that the users hand and fingers will be pinched or scarred.

Needless to say, I am aware that the art to which the invention relates reveals many and varied styles and forms of fan belt applying and removing tools, such prior art tools as have come to my attention are objectionable in one respect or another. Therefore, the general object of the instant invention is to provide a special multipurpose fan be t tool which, compared to prior art tools, is struc rally distinct and otherwise possessed of carefully planned facilities to simplify and expedite the work of one called upon to remove and replace a fan belt.-

Another object of the invention is to provide a safe and easy-to-handle tool in which manufacturers, users and. others will find their expected needs fully met, contained and advantageously available.

Briefly summarized, the preferred embodiment of the tool is characterized by a linearly straight k a handle at one end and a. sublly L-shaped crook at the opposite end, hort branch of said crook being at an apmate obtuse angle to the longitudinal axis of said shank, the long branch. being approximately parallel to said shank, said lOIlg branch being longitudinally curved.

In carrying out the principles of the invention, I have evolved produced a tool wherein the long branch functions as a convenient reach element or finger, said branch being arcuately curved in a longitudinal direction and terminating in beak which, when the tool is employed for removing a belt, rests properly for fulcruming on a hub portion of the pulley, whereby to permit the shorter limb to bridge or span the groove in the pulley so that by riding the beak around the hub and feeding the properly angled short limb between the belt and flanges of the pulley, the belt may be lofted and pryed loose from the groove.

Then, too, novelty is predicated on the adoption and use of the stated long branch or reach finger which, when the tool for applying a belt, may be caused to rest in the grooved pulley for proper fulcruming and sliding while the short bend or limb is manipulated to kick the belt into the groove.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional fan belt and pulley and showing a multipurpose hand tool with the latter in position to dislodge and remove an old belt.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the manner in which the position of the tool is reversed in respect to Figure 1 and how its parts are employed for stretching and applying a new belt;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but based primarily on Figure 1 and showing how the tool is bodily shoved over from left to right in relation to the pulley for completely freeing the belt from the pulley;

Figure 4 is a plan View of the tool per se showing the structural adaptations and features thereof;

Figure 5is an end View, that is, a view observing the construction seen in Figure 4 in a direction from right to left;

Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views taken on the planes of the lines 6-6 and l'l, respectively, of Figure 4.

The pulley seen in Figures 13 is denoted by the reference character A and is here shown as including a hub B on one side. The V-type belt is denoted by the letter C. These are all old parts.

My improved screwdriver-type multipurpose belt applying and removing tool comprises a linearly straight shank 8 having a suitable handle or hand-grip ID at one end. The opposite or outer end portion of the shank and two complemental properly angled bends which together define a belt applying and removing crook l2. The crook is of general L-shape form and, therefore, includes a long limb and a shut limb. The short limb is defined by bending the shank at the point M and disposing said limb at an approxi- 3 mate obtuse angle in respect to the longitudinal axis of the shank. The second bend l6 defines the juncture between the long and short limbs. The long limb is approximately parallel, but not strictly so, to the shank 8. The short limb is primarily used for lifting, lofting and Drying the belt. The longer limb is primarily in the nature of a reach and fulcruming finger. It will be noticed in Figure 7 that the upper edge portion of the long limb is convexly cambered at I8 and the lower edge portion is likewise cambered at 20. The opposite broader or main faces are substantially flat as at 22 and 24, respectivelyu Also, as here shown, said limb is axially twisted so that the two surfaces 22 and 24 are canted to assume desired slanting positions. The tip or terminal end portion is tapered and round-pointed to provide a fulcruming beak 26.

The upper and lower edge portions of the prying bend or short limb as it is alternatively described, are rounded or cambered as at 28 and 30, respectively (see Figure 6). The broader surfaces 32 and 34 are shown and preferably the surface 32 is flat and axially canted to take the approximate slant or inclination shown in the drawings.

It will be seen that the manner in which the bends or limbs of the crook 12 are angled in relation to each other and in relation to the shank and the manner in which they are fiat surfaced and round edged and the manner in which the surfaces are canted in somewhat opposite directions as shown in Figures 6 and '7, respectively, provides a construction which will achieve the ends wanted with certainty and safety.

In using the device for removing an old belt as shown in Figure l, the reach finger o long limb is purchased on the hub B with the fulcruming beak or nib 26 restin on the curved periphery of the hub. In this connection it will be noted that the finger as a whole is longitudinally arced or curved and that the curvature given it adapts it to substantially parallel the head of the pulley, to rest on the hub and to ride around the hub as the tool is bodily moved somewhat like the movements imparted to a can opener while opening a can. The shorter or prying limb as shown in this figure spans the groove and is approximately at right angles to the groove and is wedged between the belt and the flanges of the pulley. As the tool is lifted up and caused to ride around the hub and flanges the user, at the proper time, will swing the handle in a direction from left to right (see Fig. 3) and in so doing he may easily pry the belt out of the groove. Itis always dificult to describe these steps of operation because different users will attack the job in slightly difiering ways. I am, therefore, not so much interested in how one handles the tool as in the precise construction of the tool which makes it possible to follow the general steps shown in Figures 1 and 3, respectively.

I am also interested in the construction which makes it possible to employ the same tool for installing or placing a belt on a pulley as shown in [Figure 2. Here, the reach finger or long limb is temporarily seated and anchored in the grooved pulley. This causes the oblique short limb or bend to take a position projecting at an obtuse angle from the adjacent flange of the pulley. With the belt, pulley and tool in the position shown, the tool may be rocked and manipulated step by step to suificiently stretch the belt and to cause the belt to ride in cam-like fashion from the stretching and prying bend or limb into the groove of the pulley.

The subjoined claims are directed, as will be seen, to a tool for applying a fan belt pulley on the one hand, and to a tool for removing a fan belt on the other hand. Other claims are directed to a tool which may be used either one or the other way or in'both ways.

. It is thought that persons skilled in the art to .which the invention relates will be able to obtain "a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A multipurpose fan belt tool of the type herein shown and described comprising a linearly straight shank having a handle at one end and a substantially L-shaped crook at the opposite end, the short branch of said crook being at an approximate obtuse angle to the longitudinal axis of said shank, and the long branch thereof being generally parallel to said shank, said long branch being arcuately curved lengthwise and having its distal end provided with a pointed beak, the later constituting a tool purchasing and fulcruming nib said long branch being rectangular in cross-section, axially twisted and the upper and lower edge portions thereof being convexly cambered.

2. A multipurpose fan belt tool of the type herein shown and described comprising a linearly straight shank having a handle at one end and a substantially L -shaped crook at the opposite end, the short branch of said crook being at an approximate obtuse angle to the longitudinal axis of said shank, and the long branch being approximately parallel to said shank, the upper edge portion of said short branch being convexly cambered and at least one belt prying face being relatively broad, flat and canted slightly to assist in lofting the belt to clear over the adjacent flange of the pulley, said short branch being approximately rectangular in cross-section and having smooth surfaced upper and lower convex edges and being axially twisted to thus cant its relatively broad forward and rearward surfaces.

J N. HAWKINS.

invention, what is REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 697,454 Davison Apr. 15, 1902 2,121,129 Malone June 21, 1938 2,465,217 Fleming Mar. 22, 1949 2,505,216 Simmons et a1 Apr. 25, 1950 

